The European Commission has proposed to strengthen the competitiveness of the EU wine sector

In a statement in Brussels on Friday, the EU Commission is calling for targeted measures to help the sector increase its production potential, adapt to changing consumer preferences and exploit new market opportunities.

The measures will also help to preserve the viability of many rural areas dependent on jobs, while preserving the social importance of the EU wine sector.

The document includes proposals to prevent surpluses by authorising member states to allow grubbing-up, i.e. the removal of unwanted or redundant vineyards, and to allow green harvesting, i.e. the picking of unripe grapes. Preventing overproduction also helps to stabilise the market and protect producers from financial burdens, they wrote.

If adopted, the proposal will also give producers flexibility in the replanting authorisation procedures, which will help them adapt their investment decisions to the changing environment. Member States will also have the opportunity to better tailor planting authorisations to their national and regional needs, they wrote.

They highlighted that the proposal also foresees increased support for the sector to become more resilient to climate change. Thus, Member States will be able to increase the maximum amount of EU financial support for investments aimed at climate change mitigation and adaptation to 80% of eligible investment costs

they informed.